How to Get Green out of Blonde Hair

Co-authored by Candice Ayers

Last Updated: August 29, 2024 Approved

People with blonde hair often have to deal with their hair turning green after extended periods of time at the pool. Some people's hair turns green after 2-3 days of pool activities, but everyone's hair is different. Here are several methods to remove the green from your hair and to counter the effects of the pool.

Best Way to Remove Green from Blonde Hair

Wash your hair, then soak the green ends in a bowl filled with ½ cup (118 mL) of water and ¼ (59 mL) cup of vinegar for about 2 minutes. Add 2–3 tablespoons (34–51 g) of baking soda to the bowl and let the mixture fizz on your hair for another 2–3 minutes. Pat your hair dry, then rinse out the vinegar mixture.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Removing Green with Vinegar and Baking Soda

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This should help the green color come out, or at least fade a bit. Your hair should be clean before you continue to the next steps.
Mix 1/2 cup of water with 1/4 cup of vinegar in a bowl that is big enough to hold all the hair that has turned green, which is usually only the tips.

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In the bowl filled with the vinegar mixture, soak your hair for about two minutes.
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Add baking soda. Add 2–3 tablespoons (29.6–44.4 ml) of baking soda to the water while your hair is still in the bowl. Let it fizz up and get in your hair for 2-3 minutes.
- You can also make a paste out of shampoo and baking soda and use this to wash your hair in the shower.
Take your hair out and lay it on a dry towel. Pat it dry until it isn't dripping.
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Rinse your hair. Rinse your hair in warm water until all the vinegar is gone.
- To make sure all the vinegar is out, put a small lock of hair in your mouth and suck on it. If you taste vinegar, rinse it more thoroughly.
If your hair is still green at this point (your hair should still be damp), put 4-5 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide in your hand and comb it through with your fingers. You can also rub the hydrogen peroxide into your strands with your hands. Do not apply it to your scalp. Let the peroxide stay in your hair until the green is out. Watch your hair to see when the green is gone and then rinse.
If your hair is still green after using hydrogen peroxide, then you may just have to let it wear out.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Removing Green with Tomato Juice

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This will help lessen the green to begin with, but it is also important to proceed with clean hair.
2
Wash your hair with tomato juice. Take a cup of tomato juice (or tomato soup) and pour it on your head. Run your fingers through your hair to make sure the tomato juice covers your hair evenly. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes.
- Alternatively, you can use ketchup instead of tomato juice or tomato soup. Ketchup is less runny and can be much more manageable in the cleanup process.^{[1]
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Rinse your hair. Rinse the tomato juice completely out of your hair.
- You can repeat washing with tomato juice and rinsing a second time if you want to be extra thorough.
4
Let your hair dry. Allow your hair to dry completely. You can sleep on it overnight or just wait several hours.
- Note: Do not blow dry your hair. Make sure you let it dry naturally.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Removing Green with Professional Shampoos

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1
Purchase some professional shampoo. There are several types of commercial hair care products intended for swimmers that can help remove the green from hair when natural home remedies just won't cut it.
- Try Malibu C Swimmers shampoo and conditioner Sally Beauty's Ion Swimmer's shampoo.^{[2]
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- The main ingredients to look for in the shampoo you choose are aloe, Vitamin E, and EDTA (Edetic Acid).^{[3]
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  Research source} These will help condition and strengthen your hair and fight the discoloration.
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Wash your hair with the professional clarifying shampoo. Follow the instructions on the bottle.^{[4]
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- Alternatively, you can use a leave-in pre-swim treatment for preventative measures. Try Malibu C Swimmer's Natural Wellness Treatment or H2O Pre Swim Gel. These treatments restore color, seal the hair, and help prevent future discoloration.
Rinse the special shampoo out of your hair completely.
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Let your hair dry. Don't blow dry your hair; just let it dry naturally.
- Alternatively, you can get a salon treatment called a seal coat (or a gloss coat) that prevents the copper in the water from attaching to the cuticles in your hair. This works best on shorter hair.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Preventing Green Hair

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1
Wet your hair. Dry hair absorbs moisture and whatever else is accompanying that moisture. Having wet hair will provide protection because your hair will already be saturated with water, so it will not absorb whatever is in the pool. Take a moment to wet your hair using water from a shower or sink before you go swimming.^{[5]
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Condition your hair before you go swimming. Conditioner provides a barrier between your hair and the chlorine in the pool, so it can help to prevent your hair from turning green. Before you hop into the pool, apply a layer of conditioner to protect it.^{[6]
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A swim cap will cover your hair completely and prevent it from coming into contact with the chlorine in the water. Try putting on a swim cap to prevent green hair from the pool water.

EXPERT TIP

"Don't forget to rinse and lightly shampoo your hair after swimming!"

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist

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Question

What causes blonde hair to turn green?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Blonde hair can take on a greenish tint from exposure to chlorine or from a toner that is either formulated incorrectly or left on for too long. In either of these cases to preserve the brightness of the hair, it is better to remove the green tint than to try to cover it.

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What color cancels out green hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Red is the opposite of green on the color wheel. To cover a greenish tint you would want to use a copper tone or a warm brown. Be aware, however, that adding pigment this way will make the hair look a lot darker. You may want to remove the green tone with a lightener or color remover instead.

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What other products do you recommend for removing chlorine green from blonde hair?

Candice Ayers
Hairstylist
Candice Ayers is a Hairstylist and the manager of Bespoke Hair Studio in San Diego, California. Candice has been manager at Bespoke Hair for six years, working both behind the chair and behind the scenes. In addition to managing the business side of Bespoke Hair, Candice's specialty is creating lived-in blended looks that enhance each client's unique head of hair.

Candice Ayers

Hairstylist

Expert Answer

I recommend using a detox (clarifying) shampoo, the one that's meant to specifically remove buildup. Also, before going into chlorinated water, I recommend wetting your hair and applying a leave-in conditioner, as it acts like a barrier for chlorinated water.

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Tips

Keep out of the pool while you are working on getting the green out.

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Make sure to wash your hair very well each time after swimming.

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Lemon juice may also help get out the green.

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